LBM JournalFor the second consecutive month, prices of softwood lumber, gypsum, ready-mix concrete and OSB all increased, according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increases were led by softwood lumber and OSB.

The price of softwood lumber increased 2.3% in March after rising 4.8 percent in February. Softwood lumber prices have increased 7.2 percent over the first three months of 2017 and are up 12.9 percent since March 2016. These increases have been largely, if not completely, due to the ongoing softwood lumber trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada. The prices of many softwood products have increased by more than 25 percent since the beginning of this year, and the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Index has risen 16% during the same period.
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FPSThe current issue of Wood Design Focus examines the past, present, and future of reliability-based wood design, spotlighting the National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction, as well as ASCE and AF&PA Procedures.

The first article explores the relationship between early LRFD terms and discusses how today's differing terminology interpretations can lead to confusion. The second article discusses several assumptions underlying all reliability analyses and clarifies how these assumptions lead to end-use simplification (rather than complication). The third article provides step-by-step calculations for users to follow when developing input parameters for reliability analysis. Finally, the fourth article traces the history of closed-form reliability equations from the late 1960s to today’s ASCE 7 recommendations.

Wood Design Focus is a quarterly publication from the Forest Products Society providing practical information on engineered wood construction. It has a loyal readership among architects, educators, researchers, building code officials and manufacturers of engineered wood products. You may subscribe or download individual articles from the FPS website here.

Woodworking NetworkThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has delayed enforcement of the crystalline silica standard, which aims to curb lung cancer, silicosis, and other ailments suffered by those cutting stone countertops and similar materials. The agency has determined that additional guidance is necessary due to the unique nature of the requirements in the construction standard. Originally scheduled to begin June 23, enforcement will now begin Sept. 23.READ MORE

LBM JournalThis month, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) may make a countervailing duty order adding additional fees to the cost of softwood lumber imported into the U.S. from Canada. A decision by the ITC is scheduled for mid-May. On Nov. 25, 2016, the U.S. Lumber Coalition, which represents American softwood lumber producers, petitioned the U.S. Department of Commerce and ITC to restore what it considers to be the conditions of fair trade in softwood lumber between the U.S. and Canada.READ MORE

Capital PressBills that would impose new regulations on dairy air emissions and notification requirements for forestry pesticide sprays have failed. Two large dairies in Oregon have forestalled a bill that would impose regulations on air emissions from dairy farms across the state.READ MORE

WJHG-TVOver the weekend, there were at least two wildfires in the Bay County, Florida, area. One of the fires, in St. Joe Beach, was said to have spanned at least 20 acres. The other fire flared up in Jackson County. Officials with the Florida Forestry Service say by Sunday, fire crews completely put out the fire in Gulf County and the fire in Jackson County was 100 percent contained.READ MORE

Biomass MagazineThe intelligent reuse of wood is not a new phenomenon. As one of the world's oldest materials, this sustainable resource has been recycled or repurposed by mankind for thousands of years, but the wood processing landscape has continued to change extensively.READ MORE

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